Monday, October 27, 2008

Kinder's Call

BLUNT CONSIDERING REQUEST

BRING ON THE HEAT

A spirited campaign for Lieutenant Governor, a call for a special session, and the ongoing financial pickle of providing heating assistance to seniors and low-income Missourians as the cold weather approaches.

Peter Kinder calls for a special session to address to pass $103 million dollars for seniors and low-income residents. He says the money needs to be approved now -- so it can get to those in need in December, not February or March.

"When they come between the months of January and March, we're kind of behind the game. The cold weather months, as we know, come many weeks before that," Kinder says. "Under this plan, it could conceivably start in December, well before Christmas."

OACAC Executive Director Carl Rosenkranz reacts:

"The timing is unusual, however it may have taken that long to get information together. On the surface, the timing is a little unusual, but maybe that's how long it took, I don't really know," says Rosenkranz. "We always thought it would be better to have it as part of the regular appropriations and then you wouldn't have to call a special session."

THE PAGE CAMPAIGN REACTS:

"Voters will not be fooled by Lt. Gov. Kinder's sudden change-of-heart 8 days before an election," says Page spokesperson Bret Bender. "A full-time lieutenant governor would have been advocating for seniors during the legislative session, when it would not have cost taxpayers $100,000 per week and when oil was twice the price it is now. This is nothing more than the transparent political stunt of a losing campaign," adds Bender. "It's too early to see what affect the new surge in federal funding will have for utility bill assistance. Matt Blunt and Peter Kinder have already left $1.6 billion in Washington that should have provided health coverage for our citizens. We cannot afford to turn our backs on more federal dollars because Lt. Gov. Kinder is looking for a bump in the polls," Bender goes on.

CANDIDATES FOR GOVERNOR WON'T GO NEAR IT

"The Lt. Gov is treating it as a campaign issue. We’re not going to comment on the Lt. Gov’s campaign," says Jay Nixon spokesperson Oren Shur.

"He defers to the current governor on this call," says Kenny Hulshof spokesperson Scott Baker.

THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE REACTS:

"Governor Blunt is considering Lieutenant Governor Kinder's request," says Blunt spokesperson Rich Chrismer. "The governor has said it is very possible that it makes sense to do this in a Special Session. Lieutenant Governor Kinder is a great advocate for Missouri seniors and others who need this type of assistance so the governor was not surprised he made the request and he will consider it very carefully," Chrismer adds.